Polished Home

One area of art that is often overlooked is the beautiful world of stamps. With so many countrys producing stamps, and the numerous genres applied the options are endless. The artwork which is placed on the stamp design can be made into wall art in a couple of different ways.

You can buy a sheet of stamps which covers a particular theme and then have that matted and framed. Poof, you have a wonderful picture and a piece of a countries history all in one. Or, if you are interested in creating larger pieces, you can take the stamps art and have it enlarged to your specifications. Do this with a few different styles and you have a well defined, and cohesive theme formally established.

I did this project with a collection of Broadway musical stamps several years back. I constantly receive compliments on it, and it adds a great deal to the musical posters that are hung nearby. This is also a fabulous way to get children interested in collecting stamps.

I recently read in The Sunday Telegraph newspaper that there are companies that will make quality curtains for you for free, if you purchase the fabric from them. While at first blush this sounds too good to be true, it definitely has my attention.

With more than one company offering this service I imagine steep competition within the industry has brought this about, and this you have just got to love. Companies taking measures to stay alive in a world where so many are going under is much appreciated. This makes the day-to-day struggle feel more like one we are enduring together.

The companies indicate that lining of one sort or another is included, along with pleating. Again, I feel as though I should hold my breath until I see the final product myself, but the columnist, Allison Cork has my trust from prior experiences, so I felt compelled to pass on knowledge of such an outstanding offer. So, look into this, I know that I will because window treatments are normally quite expensive.

Some of the most dazzling homes I have witnessed over the years have featured a fireplace. It mattered not whether the style of the home was traditional, historical, or modern, a great fireplace can make an indisputable highlight when done properly. In fact, the impact can be so strong, and the appearance so enchanting that it can save an otherwise average structure from being defined as ordinary.

Of the most recent hearths that I have encountered, and adored were those made of the most unexpected materials. The crème de la crème of those pull off such a successful disguise to the extent that the textiles used had to be identified for me. Creativity in a manner such as this exudes a spirit that infiltrates a home, and sets the tone. Therefore, it is the area of fireplace design that I most look forward to reviewing year after year.

A perfectly set table will include a centrepiece, but do not let that spook you. You are not required to have an expensive, and garish focal point for your table. Instead, use everyday items that you have several identical of, or similar pieces of to make a centrepiece. For example, if you have saved clear vases over the years then pull them out of the cupboard. Next, fill them to different levels with water and float fruit inside them. Or, pull out that punch bowl you never use and place it in the centre of your table. Fill it with fizzy punch and sherbert of bright colours. Then surround the container with your most beautiful glasses, and you have an automatic eye catching feature.

A couple of years ago my stepmother was really into knitting. She made some extremely gaudy scarves that I felt compelled to wear during her visits. Because of this experience I was not impressed with knitting, and definitely not interested in learning how to knit. However, two things have occurred since that time, and as such my views have taken a dramatic turn.

First, I have since seen first hand the virtues of vintage afghan patterns. The grace of the lagoon pattern, the texture of the sculptured block and the overall selection has captured my interest. Not to mention that so many of the knitting patterns can be acquired for free off the internet. It is a virtual soft textile goldmine.

No matter what your taste, a gorgeous throw flung over the edge of a sofa will appeal to you. In fact, if your colour scheme is out of hand, or gone a bit wonky, then an afghan can tie it all together. For many, the idea of making your own blanket is overwhelming, so a quick purchase will make do. But there is an additional draw to taking up the knitting hobby.

The second, and most compelling reason I found for knitting was that completed projects can be donated to worthwhile causes. The more blankets you can produce, the better for several non-profit organizations. Once you have gotten the hang of it you can pretty much do it while watching television. Think of it as multitasking for a good cause.

As a side note, my stepmother is no longer married to my dad, and for this I am pleased to no end. But, I still feel she deserves a bit of recognition for opening the door to the world of knitting to me. After all, she was the one who told me about the many donation projects in existence. Ultimately, this has led to the creation of over 15 blankets that I have donated, and two blankets that I have showcased in my home. I should also mention that those scarves she forced upon me have also been passed on, so unbeknownst to her, she also helped in the donation process.

It is well known that several of the best actors and musicians have rallied together to bring in relief funds for Haiti. However there are also numerous artists who have given of themselves, but have not received as much acclaim. One of these is the artist and animator Theodore Ushev has called upon his talents to create a high impact poster to aid in disseminating the news of Haitian earthquake victims. The poster depicts a young child with downcast eyes alone. Underneath the picture are the words Help Haitis Children Now. Mr. Ushev felt compelled to make the piece with the intent for it to be used freely to promote the collection of donations.

This is yet one more instance of an artist using a personal gift for the benefit of Haitians struggling in the aftermath of a major catastrophe. His message is clear and his act pure. He has created good art, for good reason. In everyday life this tends to be a rare observation, but in times like these we are reminded of the genuine good that can be expressed by mankind. As such, it is truly inspirational and we applaud him and the others who have contributed.

Floral arrangements, whether large or small, bright in colour or subdued, always convey a feeling into a room that does not exist without it. Sometimes, it is the fragrant buds that appeal to our senses, others it is the texture of the various pieces in the design. While flowers can be pricey, there are many that are affordable and abundant. Therefore, when possible, a homemade arrangement, or a store bought array, should be on hand. The point is, if you stay on top of it, you can become known for your eternal display of flowers. It can become your signature piece, and a delightful addition to your day to day life.

The one thing you must remember is that once flowers start to die the effect goes from a positive one to a negative. Hence, it is imperative that you remove dead flowers as soon as possible. But, you will find that the process of replacing the flowers is a soothing one, and the act of arranging them taps into your creative energy. So, overall, the practice of keeping fresh flowers in plain sight has many benefits.

If you know yourself all to well, and recognize that you will not get around to gathering wildflowers, or dropping into the florists shop, do not throw the towel in all together. A sturdy vase with carefully selected faux flowers will also make a difference in the vibe your home gives off. If you are not confident in your skills as a floral arranger then you can always ask your local florist to conjure up an arrangement of silk flowers for you to introduce into your home design.

One of the greatest compliments one can receive regarding their home is for it to be the locale of a wedding. If this is the case, unless you are Martha Stewart, then there will be some brushing up that will have to be conducted before the event. Mainly, you will have to access whether or not you plan to make the interior of your home available to guests, or simply the garden. Once this has been identified the major revisions, or the finishing touches should be undertaken well in advance of the event.

The main reason for getting a head start is that some of your tasks will require down time once they are set in motion. For example, if you are only going to host an outdoor wedding, then landscaping will be a priority. Or, there may be additional garden decorations, such as fountains and gazebos. Either way time is of the essence.

After the ceremony has come and gone, you should be left with at least a few smashing photographs of your home in tip top condition. If there is a professional photographer on hand, then you should request that he or she take at least a couple pictures of your house before and during the festivities. This is a wonderful gift that the couple getting married can give you in appreciation of your willingness to make your home available to them.

If you are interested in making your house look great from all vantage points then be wise when you select your curtains, or window treatments. It is common for a person decorating the inside of their house to forget that people will always see through the windows of the place before they enter it. The ghastly underside of curtains, often in stark white, does not aid in any overall image that you are attempting to set forth.

Thus, the way you dress your window will be viewed from the outside and the inside. As such, by choosing a reversible curtain the exterior view will be as appealing as the interior design. Plus, you can opt for a colour that works with the homes outer paint on one side and another to coordinate with the inner paint choice. In addition, if you are clever about it, you will be able to turn the curtains to change the inner colour scheme from winter to spring. As usual, forethought reigns supreme.

For a homeowner looking for a way to incorporate artwork into their design, contemporary art allows optimum versatility. Whether the individual is looking for robust colour, or basic black and white, it is all there for the picking. The sinewy lines of a drawing, or the dramatic splash of paint make the possible fusion of many different styles possible.

Art should be as much about bejewelling your space as it is what appeals to you. With such a varied range of works falling under the title of contemporary art, you will be able to blend earlier pieces you acquired with later ones seamlessly as your taste evolves. Thus, there are many different levels to the meaning of the statement the beauty of art. In sum, if you begin to collect one form of contemporary art while living in one house, and transition to another later on, you will not feel any pressure that the pieces cannot co-exist.

Your art collection will grow, expand, and possibly diverge at different points, but there is a safety net in sticking with the contemporary style as a whole. In the end, you will find that your home décor will reflect the present, past and probably even future you in one way or another. And surely what we are all striving for is to have a space that reflects the true self.